Age Group:
Marketed to children, but appeals to all ages

Genre:
Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Canadian

Summary:
Prolific children’s writer Gordan Korman takes readers on a journey back through time with his fictional take on the Titanic and its passengers. In Unsinkable, readers are introduced to the Titanic as it gets ready to set sail to America. Through the narrative voices of some young and spunky characters, Korman sets the scene for a fun adventure story aboard the world’s largest ship at the time, the magnificent and spectacular Titanic.

My Thoughts:
If your like me, you might already be tired of all the hype surrounding the Titanic’s 100th anniversary. But despite my misgivings, I thought I would give Korman’s novel a chance. When Unsinkable was picked for the York Region Reads family program in April, I was further compelled to add it to my “to-read” list.

I’m left with pretty mixed feelings after finishing this novel. The topic is a fascinating one – that’s for sure. Who isn’t intrigued about the Titanic? Who doesn’t have a morbid curiousity about the fate of its misfortunate occupants? And there is certainly no shortage of interesting facts about the RMS Titanic in Unsinkable. At the same time, it feels like Korman tries to develop too many characters at once – from the daring Alfie to the demure Juliana. The progression from one event to the next transpires at rapid fire speed, a style that does not necessarily enhance the telling of the story.

At the same time, I can see how kids will be drawn into Korman’s exciting tale of adventure and survival. It certainly is a fast paced read with plenty of enthusiastic young characters!

Try it out for yourself! Borrow Unsinkable from your local Vaughan library today!

School’s out for summer! And what better to cool off than at your local Vaughan Public Library. This summer Pierre Berton Resource Library is offering an innovative computer camp for children. Campers will expand their skill set, have fun and indulge a love of technology.

Sessions will take place at the Pierre Berton Resource Library from July 9 to August 17, 2012 during library hours. Please pre-register at the Check Out Desk. For ages 9 to 12.

CAMP PROGRAMS

Video Game Design
If you love playing video games, you will love this! Sign up for the Video Game Design camp and we will teach you how to design and create your very own Windows-based video games!

Comic Creations
Are you a comic fanatic? Enjoy drawing your own comics? If so, the Comic Creations camp is the place for you this summer! Learn how to publish your own digital comic strip story.

Animation Studio
How would you like to write, direct, and produce your own animated short film? Sign up for the Animation Studio camp and we will teach you how to do that using the latest online tools!

Registration is underway, don’t delay! Spaces are limited.

For information about the camps including the full schedule, registration details, and fees please click HERE.

Age Group:
Adult

Genre:
Canadian Literature, Coming-of-Age, Realistic Fiction, History, Asian

Awards:
Scotiabank Giller Prize Nominee (1994), Lambda Literary Foundation Award, Amazon.ca/Books in Canada First Novel Award (1994)

Summary:
Arjie Chelvaratnam is a young Tamil boy growing up during a time of political unrest in Sri Lanka. Arjie’s always been a little different from the other boys in his family. He loves playing a game called bride-bride with his girl cousins and shys away from playing cricket with the aggressive boys. Arjie senses that he is different when he is punished for dressing up as a bride. And later, when he is transferred to a strict school with his brother Diggy because he acts “funny.” Innocent Arjie comes closer to understanding the truth about himself when he meets Shehan, a boy who dares to be different.

My Thoughts:
I was inspired to read Funny Boy after listening to a reading by Selvadurai at an LGBT symposium. Hearing excerpts from his novels, I was hooked and wanted to find out more. Selvadurai possessess such an effortless talent for describing people and making his protoganists jump off the page. Reading about Arjie’s experiences in Sri Lanka was a welcome change from the predominately American books I have been reading recently. I highly recommend it!

Borrow Funny Boy from your local Vaughan library today!